phobia

1 of 2

noun

pho·​bia ˈfō-bē-ə 

: an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation

-phobia

2 of 2

noun combining form

1

: exaggerated fear of

acrophobia

2

: intolerance or aversion for

photophobia

Examples of phobia in a Sentence

Noun

His fear of crowds eventually developed into a phobia.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is an intense fear of social situations. —Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025

According to research, the fear of flying is one of the most prevalent phobias in the world. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

The research could help scientists better understand how to help people with anxiety, phobias, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025

According to research, the fear of flying is one of the most prevalent phobias in the world. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

-phobia

Noun combining form

New Latin, from Late Latin, from Greek, from -phobos fearing, from phobos fear, flight, from phebesthai to flee; akin to Lithuanian bėgti to flee, Old Church Slavic běžati

First Known Use

Noun

1786, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for phobia

• agoraphobia
• claustrophobia
• homophobia
• hydrophobia
• photophobia
• xenophobia
• rhizobia
• phobia

Kids Definition

phobia

noun

pho·​bia ˈfō-bē-ə 

: an unreasonable, abnormal, and lasting fear of something

Medical Definition

phobia

noun

pho·​bia ˈfō-bē-ə 

: an exaggerated and often disabling fear usually inexplicable to the subject and having sometimes a logical but usually an illogical or symbolic object, class of objects, or situation compare compulsion, obsession